--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was about 21 when I read that [Mere…" description: "\"I was about 21 when I read that [Mere Christianity], and my faith was really being shaken during those days. Its a great, classic book.\" — Max Lucado" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6d/max-lucado-190_book_i-was-about-21-when-i-read-that-mere-chr_1093269.jpg" --- # I was about 21 when I read that \[Mere Christianity\], and… ![“I was about 21 when I read that [Mere Christianity], and my faith was really being shaken during those days. Its a great, classic book.” quote by Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6d/max-lucado-190_book_i-was-about-21-when-i-read-that-mere-chr_1093269.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6d/max-lucado-190_book_i-was-about-21-when-i-read-that-mere-chr_1093269.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6d/max-lucado-190_book_i-was-about-21-when-i-read-that-mere-chr_1093269.jpg) > “I was about 21 when I read that \[Mere Christianity\], and my faith was really being shaken during those days. Its a great, classic book.” [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He recounts reading a classic Christian work at a young age that challenged his faith, finding it valuable. **In simple terms:** He read a classic Christian book that shook his faith but liked it. Key Takeaway Engage with challenging ideas to grow faith. Themes faith literature growth challenge Mood introspective encouraging Type reflection testimonial When to use this quote - personal study - book clubs - faith discussions Key Concepts Spiritual development critical reading Questions to Reflect On - What questions arise when faith is challenged? - How can doubt be constructive? A Different Perspective Shaking faith can cause doubt, not just growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Classic book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classic-book/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Mere Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mere-christianity/) ## Related quotes > [I work in theology and Christian books all day long, when Im studying, so its just kind of nice to pick up something different.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-work-in-theology-and-christian-books-all-day-long-when-im-studying/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [A great classic means a man whom one can praise without having read.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/a-great-classic-means-a-man-whom-one-can-praise-without-having-read/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [I think a great classic watch is the first staple every woman should invest in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padma-lakshmi/i-think-a-great-classic-watch-is-the-first-staple-every-woman-should/) [Padma Lakshmi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padma-lakshmi/) > [A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italo-calvino/a-classic-is-a-book-that-has-never-finished-saying-what-it-has-to-say/) [Italo Calvino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italo-calvino/) > ['Classic'- A book in which people praise but do not read.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/classic-a-book-in-which-people-praise-but-do-not-read/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [When you reread a classic, you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in you than there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-reread-a-classic-you-do-not-see-more-in-the-book-than-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A classic is a book that survives the circumstances that made it possible yet alone keeps those circumstances alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-kazin/a-classic-is-a-book-that-survives-the-circumstances-that-made-it/) [Alfred Kazin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-kazin/) > [Classic book is a book which people praise, but do not read.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/classic-book-is-a-book-which-people-praise-but-do-not-read/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [John Bunyan, author of the classic book the Pilgrim’s Progress, said “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/john-bunyan-author-of-the-classic-book-the-pilgrim-s-progress-said/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [When you read a classic, you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in you than there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/when-you-read-a-classic-you-do-not-see-more-in-the-book-than-you-did/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [“The author says one character's definition of a classic is any book he'd heard of before he was thirty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-lewis/the-author-says-one-character-s-definition-of-a-classic-is-any-book/) [Sinclair Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-lewis/) > [Christianity is not the faith of the complacent, the comfortable or of the timid. It demands and creates heroic souls...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/christianity-is-not-the-faith-of-the-complacent-the-comfortable-or-of/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [Christianity is the only faith whose founder died for His followers in order to enable them to escape the consequences of their sins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-lahaye/christianity-is-the-only-faith-whose-founder-died-for-his-followers/) [Tim LaHaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-lahaye/) > [“Christianity is faith in a Righteous God .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gfty-akita/christianity-is-faith-in-a-righteous-god/) [Lailah Gfty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gfty-akita/) > [Christianity is the only system of faith which combines religious beliefs with corresponding principles of morality. It builds ethics on religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-phelps/christianity-is-the-only-system-of-faith-which-combines-religious/) [Austin Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-phelps/) ## More by Max Lucado > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [When we look at the love of Christ, we make a wonderful discovery. Love is more a decision than an emotion! Christ-like love applauds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/when-we-look-at-the-love-of-christ-we-make-a-wonderful-discovery-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [You will be at your best forever, Even now you have good moments. Occasional glimpses of your heavenly self. When you change your baby's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-will-be-at-your-best-forever-even-now-you-have-good-moments/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“Ageing. We laugh about it, and we groan about it. We resist it, but we cant't stop it. And with the chuckles and wrinkles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/ageing-we-laugh-about-it-and-we-groan-about-it-we-resist-it-but-we/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“You’ve already learned, haven’t you, that a promise made is not always a promise kept? Just because someone is called your dad, that doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-ve-already-learned-haven-t-you-that-a-promise-made-is-not-always/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God is near whether you sense His presence or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-is-near-whether-you-sense-his-presence-or-not/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [If you're feeling pain, express that to the Lord. If you're feeling worried, express those worries. One passage that gives me comfort is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/if-you-re-feeling-pain-express-that-to-the-lord-if-you-re-feeling/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [The church is never a place to show off. Do your good deeds quietly. Serve; don't seek to be seen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-church-is-never-a-place-to-show-off-do-your-good-deeds-quietly/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [If there are a thousand steps between us and God, He will take all but one. He will leave the final one for us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/if-there-are-a-thousand-steps-between-us-and-god-he-will-take-all-but/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God's love never ceases. Never... God doesn't love us less if we fail or more if we succeed. God's love never ceases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-s-love-never-ceases-never-god-doesn-t-love-us-less-if-we-fail-or/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Are you on the eve of change? Embrace it. Accept it. Don't resist it. Change is not only a part of life, change is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/are-you-on-the-eve-of-change-embrace-it-accept-it-don-t-resist-it/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [There's no limit to God's love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/there-s-no-limit-to-god-s-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God will use whatever he wants to display his glory. Heavens and stars. History and nations. People and problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-will-use-whatever-he-wants-to-display-his-glory-heavens-and-stars/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Whether or not storms come, we can not choose. But where we stare during a storm, that we can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/whether-or-not-storms-come-we-can-not-choose-but-where-we-stare/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Write today's worries in sand. Chisel yesterday's victories in stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/write-today-s-worries-in-sand-chisel-yesterday-s-victories-in-stone/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) [Explore all 968 Max Lucado quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) ## More Book quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [I don't think I have made as much of my life as I should have. I should have written more books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/i-don-t-think-i-have-made-as-much-of-my-life-as-i-should-have-i/) [Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/) > [Some books are not read in the right way because they have skipped a stage of opinion, assume a crystallization of information in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/some-books-are-not-read-in-the-right-way-because-they-have-skipped-a/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [“People talk about books that write themselves, and it's a lie. Books don't write themselves. It takes thought and research and a backache and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/people-talk-about-books-that-write-themselves-and-it-s-a-lie-books/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [There are great books in this world and great worlds in books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/there-are-great-books-in-this-world-and-great-worlds-in-books/) [Anne Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/) > [The purpose of this book is to supply, in the form suitable for laymen, guidance in the adoption and execution of an investment policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/the-purpose-of-this-book-is-to-supply-in-the-form-suitable-for-laymen/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [But I think that of all the literature that I studied, the book that did more than any other to fire my enthusiasm was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kwame-nkrumah/but-i-think-that-of-all-the-literature-that-i-studied-the-book-that/) [Kwame Nkrumah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kwame-nkrumah/) > [It's amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-amazing-to-see-things-that-are-suggested-in-the-book-fully/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“But I’ve developed a great reputation for wisdom by ordering more books than I ever had time to read, and reading more books, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/but-i-ve-developed-a-great-reputation-for-wisdom-by-ordering-more/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) [Browse all 29,378 Book quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was about 21 when I read that [Mere Christianity], and my faith was really being shaken during those days. 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